Aaron-Wooi Yik click again to march into third round of worlds, Justin bows out

Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. - AP

PETALING JAYA: After more than a month apart, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik showed they still have the touch after reuniting to reach the third round of the World Championships in New Delhi.

It was far from their best performance as Aaron-Wooi Yik dropped the opening game against Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukhphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul in their second-round clash at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Tuesday (Aug 18).

But the Malaysian pair bounced back to secure a 15-21, 21-11, 21-18 victory in 58 minutes.

Aaron admitted this year’s World Championships feels different from previous editions, with both players knowing this would be their last tournament together after being given new partners.

"Maybe it’s something different that we’ve never tried before, changing partners before the World Championships," said Aaron in a post-match interview with the BWF.

"I think it made us feel fresher. We came here without too much pressure or stress, so I think we can enjoy ourselves more here."

Wooi Yik, meanwhile, feels his time with a new partner over the past month has helped him add something different to his game.

"Of course, I learnt something new. Over the past month of training, I think I’ve improved certain things in my game.

 

"We want to add something fresh to the way we play.

 

"Aaron and I have been together for 10 or 11 years, which is a very long time, so it’s not easy to break that partnership.

"We see this as a refresh. We don’t know what will happen next, so for now we’re just focusing on what we have here," added Wooi Yik.

Wooi Yik was paired with Man Wei Chong, while Aaron initially partnered Tee Kai Wun before later teaming up with Aaron Tai.

Interestingly, Aaron-Wooi Yik could face Wei Chong-Kai Wun in the third round if their compatriots get past China’s Huang Di-Liu Yang.

In the men’s singles, Justin Hoh endured a disappointing World Championships debut after falling to All-England champion Lin Chun-yi of Taiwan in the first round.

Justin went down 18-21, 8-21 in 40 minutes and admitted the Taiwanese was too good for him on the day.

"I gave my best because I knew I was up against a very strong opponent," said Justin.

 

He played really well today and made it difficult for me to get comfortable on court.

 

"This was my first World Championships, so it was a very good experience for me.

 

"I’ll go back, work on my game and try to improve before the Asian Games," said Justin.